It’s that time of year again. Readjusting your sleep habits to the new school schedule can sometimes throw a wrench into on your morning beauty routine. Whether you’ve hit the snooze button one too many times or you simply just don’t have the time, knowing how to manipulate your mane into something presentable in minutes can be a skill that most certainly comes in handy during a busy school-year.

Tousled Chignon:

Tousled Chignon - BCBG

Tousled Chignon - Michael Kors

Tousled Chignon - Diane Von Furstenberg

What you need: A handful of bobby pins, a fine-toothed comb and finishing hairspray (my personal favorite is Thermafuse HeatSmart Serum Hairspray).

What to do: On dry hair, use a fine-toothed comb to back-comb/”tease” the crown for added volume and lift. Pull hair into a twist at the nape (or behind an ear for a side-chignon) and continue twisting with light tension until a bun forms. Secure with bobby pins. Using finishing spray, secure any loose ends that may have fallen out of the twist, then gently pull apart the secured bun for a wispy, tousled finish.

What you need: A hair elastic, a bobby pin, fine-toothed comb and finishing hairspray.

What to do: Clean, deep parts and smooth ponytails can be spotted all over the runways this season and what better way to show up to class than with one of the hottest looks fresh off the catwalk – which took all of 10 minutes to throw together? I mean… does it get much better than that? For this style, use a comb to create a deep side part just above the eye. Comb all hair into a sleek ponytail and secure with an elastic, using finishing spray to polish down fly-aways. Now to get “extra fancy”: Take a small strand from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the base to conceal the hair elastic and secure with a bobby pin. Runway ready in minutes… er, I mean school. Yes, ready for school in minutes.

What to do: Remember when your parents, coach or big sister braided your hair to get it out of the way? Braiding hair when you don’t know what else to do with it is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Except you’re not twelve years old anymore… but worry not – along came Alexander Wang whom in 2010 forever changed the way we all thought about braids. To get this boho-chic, loose, “un-done” braid, begin with dry, “second-day hair”. Emulsify a nickel-sized application of texture taffy in your hands and scrunch into hair to create a rough, disheveled texture. Swing all of your hair to one side and simply braid together with minimal tension. Secure with an elastic. Use your hands to further loosen and pull apart the braid. Use finishing spray to secure any loose strands, but don’t secure all of them! Remember, the look is intentionally un-kept (think sexy bed head) so allow some stray strands to hang loosely.

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Sock Bun:

How to make a sock donut for your sock bun (photo via Pintrest)

Sock bun "how to" (via Pintrest). Note: unless you have a super thick ponytail like this woman, steer clear of bright or patterned socks which may show through in certain lights.

What you need: A hair elastic, hairbrush and a dark dress sock (go for neutrals: black, brown or beige [for blondes]).

What to do: Grab an old dress sock and cut a hole in the toe end. Roll it into a “donut”. Put your hair up into a classic ponytail using a natural-bristel brush to smooth down fly-aways and secure with a hair elastic. Roll your “sock-donut” from the end of your ponytail down to the base. The donut should snugly fit right into place – no bobby pins necessary.

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Embrace Nature:

Mary-Kate Olsen's Windswept Waves

What you need: Wave/curl cream (try Thermafuse Redefiner), a towel and a little patience.

What to do: No time to dry your hair? Well… don’t. Embrace the textured tresses Mother Nature gave you. Apply cream-based curl defining product to towel dried hair. Be VERY thorough. Apply product in sections. Use your fingers to “rake” the product through from mid-shaft to ends, then work up to the roots. The more thorough you are with your styling product, the better your results will be. Scrunch your hair with a towel to absorb any excess water /product and to form a consistent wave pattern throughout the hair. And ta-da! You’re now ready to go about your day while your locks are air-drying… BUT here’s the most important part: HANDS OFF. Keep your hands out of your hair until it is at least 90% dry. The more you touch and manipulate your waves during the drying process, the frizzier they will get. Once your hair is dry, Oh let’s say half-way through first period, feel free to break apart the wave pattern using your hands in a scrunching motion to reveal soft, beachy, au-naturel texture.

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Crop it up

Charlize Theron's fierce pixie-cut

What you need: A blowdryer, styling paste (I LOVE Thermafuse Formatte for this) and a FIERCE pixie/crop haircut.

What to do: First Anne, then Charlize and now Beyonce. Short, cropped coifs are making appearances all over the red carpet lately and I must say, I am loving this bold trend. Not only do cropped haircuts accentuate some of our favorite features (i.e.: cheekbones, striking eyes, etc) but they also require minimal styling time – about 90 seconds with a blowdryer and a quick application of styling paste for texture. You’ll be out the door in no time.

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Accessorize:

What you need: Oh, you know… be creative. Try scarves, head bands, statement pieces, stylish hats, you name it.

What to do: Did you wake up late with some serious bed head and no time to restyle? Keep calm… and accessorize. And by accessorize, I mean cover it up with just about any stylish scarf , hat, headband, etc… the list goes on. Complete the look with earrings and a chic ensemble. Remember to keep it fashionable and current so it looks more like a bold statement rather than a last-minute fix. No one will ever know… =)

Good hair days to you all,

Emily Chen

Follow me on Instagram: @EmChenDesign

P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

OK. I am officially all for this bird-inspired hair trend. The layering of prismatic, intensely-hued “pops” of jewel-toned color within someone’s crowning glory aka “peacocking” is a bit of an obsession for me lately. Especially so after my recent Thermafuse trip to the Premier Orlando Beauty Expo – the largest beauty industry event in the United States. As I found my way through the crowd of 40,000+ beauty industry professionals I couldn’t help but to notice all of the delightfully different interpretations of this colorful trend from makeup to hair. Each as unique as the person adorned. However, as with all things trendy in the hair world, there’s always the good, the bad, and the hair 911. so if you’re going to do it, do it right. Here are 6 useful tips on how to get your peacock on …the right way:

1) See a professional for this one. Seriously. Getting blotchy Kool-Aid stains out of hair is more difficult than one might think.

2) Platinum blondes are perfect candidates for this colorful trend. Jewel tones will be at their boldest when freshly applied, then fade gracefully into pastel colors which also pair well with platinum hair. It’s like having two looks for the price of one

4) If you’re a brunette, most jewel tones will require pre-lightening strands four or more levels for best results. Because the lightening process can be abrasive, I recommend this procedure on virgin hair only… Hair not-so-virgin? See tip No.5

5) If you’re a “brunette” and you haven’t seen your natural color in so long you forgot what it even looks like [points to self (guilty as charged)], then pre-lightening your hair is risky business and can severely compromise the hair’s integrity. Instead, opt for an assortment of colorful human hair extensions. When installed professionally and correctly, extensions can last for months depending on hair type and maintenance. They can be shampooed, cut and heat-styled just like the rest of your hair. Extensions are also a great option for blondes who are looking for a less permanent application of peacock colors.

6) Any redheads out there? Red is a vibrant shade all on its own so choose your peacock colors wisely… In fact, nix the greens and blues all together and be a fiery phoenix instead. Stick to pinks, intense golds, coppers, corals and red-violets. An overabundance of blue accents in red hair might give you that Captain America look… But I mean hey, if that’s what you’re into…

And lastly, I can’t end this post without flaunting my very own newly-peacocked locks:

Via Instagram

Wishing you many fabulous hair days,

Emily Chen

P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

Yes, the season is officially upon us: Prom/Wedding Season aka “Event Style Season” at the salon. Whether it’s a glamorous updo, or a chic and tousled down-do, women everywhere are giving their crowning glories a fabulous makeover for a night (or two, or three…). Here are some of the season’s hottest looks followed by Event Style DO’s and DON’Ts so your salon experience goes as smoothly as your freshly pressed locks.

Elegant Lady:

Nothing says ‘lady’ like this soft and delicate, feminine upstyle. Perfect for those with natural curls and waves. Dress it up with a fresh flower (think bold red or fuchsia) and off to the ball you go.

Vintage Vixen:

Smooth, Sculpted waves and deep parts add a touch of old Hollywood glam to any ensemble. Just add lipstick and pearls!

Minimalist: Simple, clean and pure. Sometimes less is more.

Short and Sexy:

For all of you ladies rocking a sleek bob or a punky pompadour, you too can glam up your strands for the night. Skip the updo, and go for a stylish blowout. Earrings are a must!

So you have the perfect style in mind and now it’s time to take it to your hairstylist and make some magic happen. Here are some DO’s and DONT’s when it comes to Event Styles:

DO ask your hairstylist if they’re comfortable doing Updos/Event Styles. Even if your long-time hairstylist has never disappointed you when it comes to your luxurious color and chic haircut, updos can be a game changer. Hairdressers either love or hate doing updos so if yours is “Updo-phobic” ask him or her to refer you to a colleague who likes creating updos. There is nothing wrong with going to a different stylist for a service that your current stylist is uncomfortable providing you with. In fact if your stylist is indeed “Updo-phobic” it may even be a sigh of relief that they don’t have to stress over your hair, and you get to still leave the salon with a fabulous Evening Style by the neighboring stylist. It’s a win-win and everybody’s happy.

DON’T arrive at the salon with dirty hair. Many of us have heard “Updos are best done on dirty hair”. That is true only in some cases and honestly it’s pretty hit or miss. These days there is a styling product for everything. So much so that your stylist can easily formulate a cocktail of products that will give your strands the same texture and pliability that “second-day-hair” gives you -on the first day.

DO wear a zip-up or button-up top to the salon. Avoid wearing anything that requires you to pull over your head to change out of after you’ve left your salon appointment.

DO let your stylist know ahead of time if you plan on incorporating hair extensions and/or accessories so they can book out extra time to accommodate you.

DON’T show up for an Updo/Event Style appointment with wet hair. Most stylists book out just enough time to complete your updo and if they need to spend extra time blow-drying your hair, they’ll have less time to spend on creating your do.

DON’T flat-iron your locks prior to your salon visit. This may effect how well your hair holds a curl. Just show up with your hair clean, dry, and au-naturel and allow your stylist to take care of the rest

Whether you’re getting all glammed out, or just heading to work …good hair days to you all =)

Emily Chen

P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

So you’ve been slaying the town with this bold, fierce, short hairstyle for a while now, but you’re getting the itch for change. Lately, every shampoo commercial diva with long, lustrous locks has become the object of envy. You know that eventually your short haircut is going to grow out of shape, and that if you skip a haircut, you’ll have to McGyver it in a way so that you’ll feel somewhat presentable in pubic. You ask yourself how long you can “McGyver it” for. Or perhaps you’ve already attempted to grow out your hair once or twice before, but each time you hit a certain length, you’re just like “Nope. Done.” and off to the salon you go to get it all cut off again. Do you ever wonder if there’s a sane way to do this whole “growing out a short haircut” thing? Where would you even start? The answer is: Yes. Yes there is. Not only will you be able to successfully grow it all out, but you’ll have fun experiencing each hairstyle in between.

First, know that the average head of hair grows half an inch per month. That’s six inches per year. So expect to be in the “growing out stage” for some time. In my experience, the most forgiving way to grow out a short haircut and feel fabulous while doing it, is to continue to get your hair cut - but in phases of different styles.

Below I have compiled a “timeline” of hairstyle phases from short to long. Please note that there are different variations of each “Style Phase” and the coordinating photos are just examples. Feel free to “mix it up” along the way (i.e.: go asymmetrical, add a short fringe/long fringe, etc.). If you’re unsure of what to do, consult with your stylist to create something fabulously tailored to your own unique tastes and lifestyle using this timeline as a guide.

If you reach a certain length and suddenly you realize you’re really enjoying that particular hairstyle, I have also included a “To Maintain” tip for each phase.

STYLE PHASE #1) THE PIXIE:

Charlize Theron's Bold Pixie

To Maintain: Schedule haircut 4 weeks apart.

Grow to Style Phase #2: Schedule haircuts 5-6 weeks apart. Maintain short length in the back and sides while growing out the top and fringe.

Grow-out Obstacle #1: One of the most difficult parts of growing out a short haircut is growing the sides past the ears. And it’s an absolute “must” if you’re ever going to grow your hair out and get to Style Phase #3. To get past this awkward stage with ease, try round-brushing or back-combing the crown area. The extra fullness on the top will create an illusion of narrow, less bulky sides. Also, if the sides are long enough to tuck, tuck them behind your ears to displace the extra bulk.

Grow to Style Phase #5: Schedule haircuts 8 weeks apart. Allow the length in the back to become level with the length in front and eliminate the graduation.

Grow-out Obstacle #2: Once the “Lob” has reached shoulder length, the ends will begin to flip up on their own regardless of your attempts to style them under. This is because of these lovely things we have called “shoulders” and there’s not much we can do to control the flip until the hair reaches a certain length. To avoid looking like Mrs. Brady, shorten your face frame and add layers. The extra movement and dimension will take attention away from the flip. See below:

STYLE PHASE #5) MEDIUM LENGTH AND LAYERED:

A Playful Twist on Jennifer Aniston's Grown Out "Lob". The face-frame and layers have disguised the shoulder-flip and turned this former "Lob" into a fashionable medium length, layered hairstyle.

To Grow Longer: Hang on there, Rapunzel. Are you sure you want to keep it growing past your belly button there? How long is too long? Overly long locks have a tendency to overpower and ”drag down” a person’s face, not to mention, has the potential to look quite ”scraggly”(unless of course, you supplement with hair extensions – but that’s another blog post for another day). Remember, you are the star of the show, and your hairstyle is the supporting actress. Your hairstyle is accessorizing you, and never the other way around.

As always, be good to your hair. It’s the accessory you adorn on a daily basis, so make sure it’s a flattering one

Emily Chen

Follow me on Instagram: @EmChenDesign
P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

LADIES (and style savvy men): When was the last time your blow-dryer had a checkup?

That’s right, your hot styling tools need love too.

Every now and then a client of mine will come in on a routine visit and surprise me with newly heat damaged hair. Usually they are well of aware of it and point it out to me immediately and if they don’t, I’ll notice it during the hair service and have the daunting task of giving them the bad news. This is when I usually go all “Hair Detective” on their scorched strands asking questions such as: “Have you changed any of your styling products?”… “Did you buy a new dryer/iron?”… “Did you try any new styling techniques (Hey, you never know what crazy ideas people will find on YouTube)?” practically C.S.I. work here. If all answers are “no” and they swear up and down that they haven’t changed any part of their hair care routine since I saw them last, I then might ask “When was the last time you gave your blow-dryer a good checkup?” And so comes my hot styling tool lecture… although I prefer to think of it more as a “heart-to-heart”.

Well I just recently ran into this situation, thus my great idea to blog about the subject with hopes of preventing such hair-tragedies from happening in the future!

DO use a concentrator – you know, that nozzle attachment that comes with most dryers which many of us don’t know what to do with and end up throwing away? That attachment allows for evenly controlled airflow. Using your concentrator, direct the airflow from roots to ends for smoothest results.

DON’T allow your the tip of your blow-dryer or concentrator to come into direct contact with your hair for any length of time. Always keep a safe distance of at least half of an inch.

DO keep it movin’! Keep the dryer, your brush and hands moving consistently. Holding your dryer on a single area for too long is risky business.

Now give your blow-dryer a good checkup once every few months by following these two simple steps:

1) Clean the filter – Located in the rear of the dryer where air is suctioned through is a screen or mesh filter. A build-up on the filter can cause the device to overheat, burning your hair. Use an old toothbrush and gently buff to remove any build up of dust and debris. Sometimes there is a plastic end cap covering the filter. In most cases, these end caps are designed to be easily removed for cleaning purposes. If you’ve noticed a significant temperature increase and the filter is squeaky clean, it may be a sign of internal malfunctioning – something one can do little about. In this case, discontinue use of the überhot dryer to avoid a potential disaster.

2) Check for sparks – Some things are not meant to be sparkly. The inside of your blow-dryer is one of those things. Plug your blow-dryer in the powder room wall, close the door and shut off the lights. Turn on the dryer in complete darkness. If your device emits tiny sparks, immediately toss that would-be hair saboteur into the trash. Better safe than sorry.

If your malfunctioning blow-dryer is relatively new, check to see if it’s still under warranty and contact the manufacturer to see what can be done to replace your device. If your malfunctioning blow-dryer is an ancient artifact… then there is no surprise here. Appreciate the many years of great hair had, and realize it’s time to let go and move on.

In the market and unsure of what to look for? Ask your hairdresser for recommendations. Or perhaps I just might make that the subject of my next post… maybe. Stay tuned.

Wishing you many, many happy hair days free of damage-free styling,

Emily Chen
P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

Bored of the same-old-same-old hair color? If a traditional set of foiled highlights have you yawning and you’re looking to try something new, check out these creative alternatives to the typical “full foil highlights”:

Boarding:

Boarding is a freehand hair-coloring method which involves using board and color brush rather than foils. color is hand “painted” into hair, creating a multitude of looks from soft “sun-kissed” dimension to Ombré fashion effects.

“Sombré”, a catchy nickname for a softer Ombré is an updated, more subtle version of ombré without the strong contrasts. ”Ombré 2.0″ anyone?

Kristine Quigley wanted a change from her all-over blonde... but wanted to "still be a blonde". We found the perfect solution with Sombré.

A perfect way to richen up brunette strands!

Peekaboo:

Want strong statement hair with minimal maintenance? That may sound like an oxymoron at first… until you meet “Peekaboo” highlights. These are bold sections of color that “peek” out of the hair from underneath the part line. Therefore, regrowth is well hidden allowing one to rock this bold look for quite some time without having to run back to the salon for frequent touchups.

Allora's Style Coordinator Lindsay Meath was a hair model for our most recent in-salon creative coloring workshop. She is rocking the peekaboos with this "Cool Winter White" industrial look.

Allora's Style Coordinator Lindsay Meath rocked this combo of spicy coppers in a peekaboo placement just this past Fall.

Jewel-toned Ombré:

If you already have Ombré -esque color in your strands, it’s easy to change up and update your colors without having to go through the whole lightening process again. Simply have your stylist change up your look with a deposit of different semi-permanent color gloss… and Voilà! Old Ombré gets a bright update with a trifecta of hues.

The process of toning Jenny Mastrofilippo's formerly copper-caramel-blonde Ombré with a trifecta of ravishing reds.

And... Ta-da! Jenny's final results. ~Hair Design by Emily Chen~

As always, please remember: Before diving into your next hair adventure, get informed, and consult a salon professional to get the full scoop on:

1) What to expect:

-If the desired results are achievable on your specific hair type

-What steps you and your colorist will need to take to achieve those results

It’s the beginning of a new year. For many of us who have swayed from our otherwise healthy lifestyles this Holiday season, we are back at the gym full-force burning off two months of gluttony. Many of us also know that gym time = hair and makeup sabotage. So how do we sneak in a mid-day workout and return to the office looking presentable in a timely manner? Here are 5 FAST ways to put yourself back together after a workout.

1) Dry Shampoo:

If you have long or thick hair, and no time to wash and style from start to finish, Pack a shower cap, an aerosol dry shampoo and a flat iron in your gym bag. After your workout, spray dry shampoo directly at the roots to instantly absorb oil and sweat while refreshing your strands. Use your flat iron to touch up any kinks that may have formed in your hair from ponytails or headbands.

2) Rock a Pixie:

If you’re bold enough to rock a textured, sassy pixie, you’re in luck. They’re one of the easiest hairstyles to “re-style”. For most pixie cuts, it takes less than 5 minutes to completely blow-dry after shampooing. Just pack your shampoo, conditioner, and a little texturizing taffy to finish (I love Thermafuse TAC).

Anne Hathaway

3) Embrace Mother Nature:

If there is natural curl or wave in your hair, it’s easy to simply wet down your strands, apply a curl-enhancing styling creme, and go. Use a diffuser to dry half way, and allow the rest to air-dry as you drive back to the office for a soft, beachy texture. (Curly girl tip: Avoid over-shampooing your strands to maintain moisture balance in textured hair. Limit shampoo to every other day. When restyling post-workout, simply wet down your hair and condition -sans suds.). My personal favorite curl/wave enhancer?: Thermafuse Redefiner

4) Go Ballerina Bun:

It’s trendy. It’s fast. It takes no round brushing, flat ironing, curling, or primping. It’s really kind of like a fancy ponytail. Pack a boar bristle brush, a hair elastic and a dark sock with a hole cut into the bottom so that it forms a ring and you’re ready to go. Here’s a fabulous ballerina bun aka “sock bun” tutorial compliments of Pinterest:

Now smooth down fly-aways with a boar bristle brush and dress it up:

and Voila! Back to conquering the day, you stylish diva, you.

5) Lash and Brow Tinting:

I am lucky enough to work along side one of the most talented estheticians I know – Erin Welch at Allora Salon and Spa who offers this fabulous service. Lash and Brow tinting is done with a safe and effective vegetable based dye that is formulated to be used near our eyes to darken and define eyelashes and eyebrows for 4-6 weeks. So… no time for Mascara? No problem.

With a little preparation, you can make “post-gym beauty sabotage” a thing of the past.

Wishing you all happy hair days,

Emily Chen

P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

What do the August, September and December 2012 issues of Elle Magazine have in common? Big. Bold. Statement Bangs. I’ve been obsessing over this trend for far too long not to blog about it already, so here we go.

“To fringe? Or not to fringe?”

GO FOR IT …if:

- You’re itching for a change but you’re not ready to lose any precious length off of your strands.

- You have the bone structure to rock it. Not sure? Do you think your face looks better when your hair is down or in a ponytail? Tucked behind your ears? Or untucked? If you said ponytail or tucked, go for it. Ponytails and tucked hairstyles expose the corners of your face (cheekbones and corners of your jaw), as do broad, brow-length statement bangs.

- You’re a ponytail girl anyway. Are you athletic? Work in the food-service industry? Busy mom? Nothing turns a “blah” ponytail into a chic fashion statement like a heavy fringe.

- You have fine/thinning hair or deep recession points in your hairline. Two words: Instant volume.

Not So Fast …if:

- You’re a curly girl. You may find yourself fighting with your fringe on a daily basis. Want them anyway? O.K. fine. Just be prepared to arm yourself with an arsenal of smoothing products. I like F450° One Pass – a hot iron activated smoothing crème that withstands humidity and keeps unruly hair smooth from shampoo to shampoo.

- You have finicky hairline. Those with prominent hairline cowlicks be warned. Avoid bangs with a blunt edge. Instead, opt for more of a “shattered” edge to camouflage any hairline discrepancies. Also, the heavier, the better. Some cowlicks just need a little added weight to stay down.

- You’re not into maintenance. Expect to go for regular bang trims every 2-4 weeks.

- You have a low hairline. A heavy fringe on a low hairline may lead to more styling difficulties than it’s worth. Instead, try longer, side-swept bangs or a high face frame that can easily be pulled back if needed.

- You’re going to take “baby steps”. No. Just no. The Statement Bang is an all or nothing kind of deal. Attempting “something in-between” or the “let’s just start with a thin little layer of bangs” may result in something more matronly than chic.

Remember: When in doubt, consult with a salon professional to help you determine what your best options are, what to expect, and how to achieve your desired results safely and effectively.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season full of great people, delectable goodies, and of course – fabulous hair,

Emily Chen

P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

Going jewel-toned? This colorful trend has been making appearances everywhere, from college campuses to the red carpet. But be warned: What Britney, Selena and Avril may not tell you is that most high-fashion hair color shades require once-a-week touch ups to maintain the bold and vibrant hues. For the average consumer, proper maintenance can be very time consuming, not to mention costly. Neglect your jewel-tones, and the once vivacious colors will quickly fade into a drab and mousy hair-tragedy. Cobalt blues fade into a sad greenish-yellow and Screaming Fuchsias fade into a wimpy, salmon-orange. If you’re dying to sport jewel-toned hair, but not up for the high-maintenance upkeep, alas… there is still hope for you.

When it comes to pre-lightening hair, dark hair lifts in shades of red, to red-orange, to orange, to orange-yellow, to yellow -in that order. As long as your colorist avoids lifting the hair past the red-orange stage, most vibrant red hues deposited on the hair will fade gracefully into a copper-caramel, a tone that is complimentary to most dark base shades.

Did you know? That professional colorists fix brassy blondes with a sheer violet-based tint? That’s because violet neutralizes unwanted yellow tones in the hair. That being said, most platinum blondes donning violet pops of color can get away with putting off their next color appointment. Cool violet hues on platinum blondes will fade into an icy, pastel violet, then back to a beautiful platinum blonde without any awkward in-between phases.

Hair Extensions:

Balmain Hair Extensions in Fantasy Color: Sky Blue

Want instant jewel tones that never fade? Rather than fussing with your own hair color, pop in some color with jewel-toned human hair
extensions! Special fade-resistant dyes are used on hair extensions during manufacturing to create bold blues, purples, pinks and more. Have a hair extension specialist properly bond them into your hair for easy, breezy jewel-tones that stay bright, and are easily removed when you’re ready for a change.

Remember: Before diving into your next hair adventure, get informed, and consult a salon professional to get the full scoop on:

1) What to expect:

-If the desired results are achievable on your specific hair type

-What steps you and your colorist will need to take to achieve those results

They say “The higher the hair, the closer to God”. So what’s a limp-haired girl to do? From topical products, to supplements, to prescription drugs, most remedies for fine or thinning hair promise visible results in weeks, and sometimes months. But what if you have a hot date tonight and you need results by 7:00 pm?

Here are 6 ways to add volume to your locks… instantly:

6) Be a Tease:

Your mother did it, your grandmother did it, and her mother probably did it too. Back-combing – aka “teasing your hair”, is a styling technique that has been carried on through the ages and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. Here’s how to do it correctly without turning your strands into one giant dreadlock. Begin with one inch sections at the crown. Using a fine-toothed comb, Back-comb each section while maintaining a circular motion from the mid-shaft down to the scalp, and back up again until a firm nest is formed at the base. Brick-layer your sections as you move through the rest of the crown area and anywhere else volume is desired. Finish with a boar-bristle brush to sculpt and smooth down the surface of your hairstyle, be it soft, romantic waves, or a rocker-chic pompadour!

5) <— That’s the Magic Number:

If you’re looking for fullness at the top of your head, nothing makes hair defy gravity like cutting off heavy, weighted ends. As a rule of thumb, remember that volume begins at five inches. Hold up a strand of hair from the top of the crown wherever your shortest of layers begin. If it is five inches or shorter, you have far greater chances of achieving height and volume in your hairstyle. Not ready to lose the length? Try shorter layers in long hair.

4) Fake it ’til you Make it:

Hair extensions are a beautiful thing. Often used for adding length, they can also be clipped-in or bonded to hair for added thickness. When choosing clip-ins, skip the synthetic types and go for 100% human hair. Keep in mind that hair is usually lighter in color at the ends than the hair closest to the scalp (especially true for highlighted blondes). This being the case, color-match to the ends of your layers for a seamless blend and have a colorist professionally darken the “roots”. When it comes to any sort of semi-permanent hair extension service, always visit a reputable extension specialist.

3) Powder Power:

One of the latest innovations to hit salon shelves: Volume/Texture Powder. Hair powders do all the fabulous things that dry shampoos do but also add massive volume and matte texture! A sprinkle of this magic dust on the roots will deliver immediate results that last until your next shampoo.

2) Fringe Benefits:

A heavy, eye-length fringe creates the appearance of fullness in your hair. A heavier fringe creates a shorter part-line, and the shorter the part-line is, the thicker the hair will appear. A broad fringe that extends to the corners of your face will also camouflage a high forehead and/or deep recession points at the temples.

1) Lighten Up:

Your hair color, that is. Avoid dark base shades as they create more contrast between the hair and scalp, making fine or thinning hair obvious. Instead, opt for a lighter base shade, and even highlights to break up the overall color. Visually speaking, darker shades recede, and lighter shades expand. Hair color with highs and lows will deliver an illusion of movement and body.

Remember: When in doubt, consult with a salon professional to help you determine what your best options are, what to expect, and how to achieve your desired results safely and effectively.

Wishing everyone fabulous hair days, all-day-every-day,

Emily Chen

P.S. For more professional beauty and wellness tips, please “like” Allora Salon and Spa on Facebook:

Contributors

Click on a blogger to see just their posts.

Traci Adedeji: is a 40-something mother of three adult daughters and wife of local fashion designer, Raul Siro Ferreira. The family moved to Rochester from the New York City area in 2007. Having worked for over 20 years as an insurance professional, Rochester was a change of pace that precipitated a change in career for her. Traci owns Grown & Sexy Things, a lifestyle brand offering relationship enhancement products and producing signature "Grown & Sexy Girls' Night Out" events. She cites her status as "a person who wears clothes" as what makes her uniquely qualified to write about fashion. She offers real fashion and shopping tips for real women presented with her special brand of style and humor. Traci believes that true style comes not just from knowing the difference between fashion and style but also from knowing what works best for you and for your lifestyle.

She is on a mission to inspire and empower women of all ages to improve their health and well-being, upgrade their eating habits and self-care practices, achieve their ideal weight and desired body image, redefine their own health and happiness, and ultimately, create the lives of their dreams.

Laura's approach to health and life coaching is of a holistic nature. Drawing on her education, hands-on expertise and personal experience, she works with clients to help them create a healthier and happier life through better nutrition, balanced lifestyle choices, stress reduction, self-care, as well as adjustments in other areas of life that contribute to the well-being.

Laura comes from the corporate world; her background is in graphic and web design, internet marketing, search engine optimization, and social media marketing.

Laura is a passionate learner and a life-long student. She is continually studying to increase her knowledge of nutrition, holistic health and well-being, human psychology and behavior change, self-improvement, as well as entrepreneurship, modern marketing, and social media influence.

Visit her website at Happy-Healthy-Vibrant.com and take advantage of FREE initial consultation offer – mention you saw it on herRocester.com.

Emily Chen: has always had a passion for the arts, a passion that would land her a growing career in the beauty industry. At an early age she began beauty school and discovered she could utilize artistic talent and creative thinking in a career full of opportunities. Upon completing her cosmetology education, Chen began her work as a salon assistant. She attended numerous advanced workshops, seminars, hair shows, and other educational events and quickly rose to become a Artistic Director at Allora Salon & Spa in Victor. Chen enjoys working with her clients to come up with styles individualized to their needs and complimenting their natural features. In 2008, she became a Thermafuse Educator, and then a National Thermafuse Platform Artist and a member of the Thermafuse Artistic Team. Chen currently works full time as a stylist . When not in the salon, she travels the United States and Canada teaching and inspiring other stylists and promoting her love and passion of the beauty industry. "Whether you've been doing hair for ten months or ten years, there is ALWAYS something new to learn," Chen said.

works hard to live a real life. She’s not saving endangered spider monkeys and has no interest in scrap-booking. She is a self-proclaimed expert of nothing. She religiously watches football, "samples" candy from the bulk food aisle, and gets frustrated at things that don't make sense. She will probably never have a building named after her, but she donates as she can. She’s conscious of her carbon footprint but hasn't made the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. She thinks the whole world should be in therapy and every day she promises that she’ll start exercising tomorrow. She’s nowhere near where she thought she would be at this point in her life, but she’s a really good person with high standards for herself. She’s kind, thoughtful, and determined to help others often at the detriment to herself. She strongly believes in and practices the Golden Rule and she's doing her best, every day, to make sense of this crazy, chaotic and not-so-bad ride we call life. And you know what? She’s getting there.

Tokeya C. Graham consistently works towards personal growth. She applies the principles of what she calls "Soulstainable Living": reducing her negative karma footprints by recycling positive energy for the benefit of others. She believes that we are we responsible for own happiness and should work hard to achieve it. Tokeya is a word wrangler by day and a dream spinner at night. She currently teaches English at Monroe Community College's Damon City Campus. Since 2005, she has owned and operated T. Cornell Writing Resource which offers comprehensive writing services and workshops. Additionally, she is a popular local public speaker who is requested at many events that focus on helping women and girls become their best selves. A Rochester native, Tokeya continues to live in the city with her husband and their children.

Michelle Inclema is a freelance writer, social media junkie and bride-to-be. When she isn't tweeting or wedding planning, she takes to the stage for community theatre productions. She is a Nazareth College graduate who also volunteers for area nonprofits. She resides in the City's Neighborhood of the Arts, where she enjoys soaking in all the artistic and cultural experiences that her native city has to offer!

Tricia Kuntz: is the owner of The Purple Painted Lady, a custom-painted furniture shop, and has been repurposing furniture and painting murals for over 10 years. She is quick to help others with projects that can transform their house into their home. Visit her shop in Palmyra and you will find her enthusiasm is contagious. She refers to herself as a contemporary woman with heirloom hobbies. Her painting includes a wide range of pieces, from French Country and traditional to whimsical and eclectic, to Shabby Chic. She loves resurrecting old wood furniture, giving a side table new life with paint or taking a forgotten dresser and transforming it into the favorite piece in a home. She is a three-time Homearama participant and an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint certified stockist and trainer.

She has a passion for painting and her family. Tricia lives in a big, old Victorian farmhouse, painted purple and white, in Macedon with her husband Steve and daughter Danni. She is a hometown girl, born and raised in Rochester. While traveling the globe during her mechanical engineer/software consulting days, she always looked forward to returning "home."

Tricia is available to answer any of your questions or concerns, or ease your fear of taking that paint brush to the piece Grandma gave you that is hiding in your basement. So, please email your questions to the "Dear Purple Painted Lady" at takuntz@rochester.rr.com

Joan Lincoln: A mother of three beautiful daughters, Joan hails from the Finger Lakes area. A true Rochesterian for 28 years, Joan has come from in front of the camera lens to behind the scenes and has been painting Upstate N.Y. woman more beautiful for more than a decade. Working for NYC-industry giant Trish McEvoy Cosmetics, Joan has become a sought-after makeup artist in the region over the past 13 years. Her accomplishments have always focused on female-based retail, marketing and event planning careers; however, Joan's real passion for empowering women is defined through her makeup brush and her one-face-at-a-time makeup lesson. With her blog "Beauty Buzz," Joan will provide life-enhancing solutions for readers through her collection of beauty tips and experiences.

Russ Manalastas is the clinical director of Lattimore's Spencerport clinic. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009 from the University at Buffalo, as well as a bachelor's in exercise science in 2006. He is certified in strength and conditioning through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Russ has a passion for advocating for the physical therapy profession and treating a vast array of sports/orthopedic conditions. As a certified orthopedic manual therapist (COMT), he uses a variety of hands-on techniques in addition to exercise, to allow clients to return to their goals. Russ has particular interests in repetitive, endurance related injuries, and how he can utilize the best available evidence to help clients on the road to recovery. He lives in Rochester with his wife Kathleen, his daughter Lilia, and soon to be baby boy Manalastas coming in August."

Tiffany Mincey: is a 24-year old fitness guru who works part-time at the YMCA of Greater Rochester as a Group Exercise Fitness Instructor. She is certified in cycling, hi-lo aerobics, and step-aerobics. She recently competed in a local fitness competition called the "Rep X Challenge" and placed 2nd after doing more than 1,200 squats in a row.

Tiffany participated in Division I track and field and women’s rowing at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo). She also competed in the Empire State Games in the 400-meter hurdles.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish (double minor in International Business and Education) from SUNY Buffalo. In 2011 she earned her Masters of Public Administration from Florida International University in Miami. She works full-time in public safety with the City of Rochester.

Wendy Rockcastle: is co-owner of two Rockcastle Florist locations in Rochester and Canandaigua. She has over 20 years of experience as a small business owner and designer. Wendy enjoys teaming up with other professionals as well as mentoring young start-ups and students. She volunteers through the Greece Chamber of Commerce to work with the Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA). Her daughter, Mary is study art in New York City. She has been married to her husband/business partner Keith for over 25 years. Wendy and other Rockcastle staff discuss all things floral on their blog Talk about Flowers at RockcastleFlorist.wordpress.com. You can contact her at wjrockcastle@rockcastle.com

Rosa Smith-Montanaro: is your virtual weight loss and wellness coach. She is the author of Mind Over Platter®: Train Your Brain to Think Thin and the award-winning creator of MindOverPlatter.com. Rosa is a certified Success Coach with an expertise in weight management and the mind/body connection. She is also certified at the Master level in Hypnosis, Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP), Thought Field TherapyTM (TFT), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Herbal Specialist and Humanistic Neuro Linguistic Psychology. Rosa teaches seminars throughout the country on the mind/body connection and how to create a life that is a reflection of your values. Rosa and her husband live in Greece and have three children. She welcomes you to blog with her and discover how you can create a healthier, happier and balanced life. Rosa can be reached at MindOverPlatter@aol.com.

Jen Ulrich: owner of Answers To Organizing, has been a professional organizer in the Rochester area since 2005 and is truly passionate about this work. Her hands-on, supportive approach assists clients in de-cluttering residential and small office spaces. But for Jen, organizing is not just about the "stuff." It's making people feel better about their environments, and ultimately about themselves; she instructs her clients on easy-to-maintain systems and time management skills that yield benefits with finances, relationships, and personal development.

Pauleen Vacca lover of all things lifestyle and local, is an event designer and party planner. Being immersed in the events field for over five years, Vacca has worked with many notable clients and companies, both nationally and abroad, including Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Gap Inc., Shakira, and Drake. After working in both Rochester and New York CIty, Vacca opened Pauleenanne Design in 2011. With a focus on social gatherings, corporate events, and weddings, Pauleenanne Design services events in the Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Finger Lakes Regions. Vacca is also an avid social media user, with a love for the platform Pinterest, and a self taught graphic designer. When not busy with the business, Vacca enjoys going to her favorite Rochester restaurants, finding artistic inspiration, and jet setting whenever possible.

Robin Harisis has always loved to organize. Even as a child, she made drawer dividers for her dresser and cataloged all her stuffed animals according to species. These activities demonstrate an appreciation for the process of bringing things into order. This has been a calming influence throughout her life.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Messiah College, Robin worked in a variety of fields. She was the coordinator for a youth job training program, a manager in a production lab, and a salesperson for a veterinary supply distributor. Her natural organizing and people skills were honed through these endeavors. They are now the main focus in her current venture. She is the founder of Room Service Personal Organizing, LLC and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Robin finds fulfillment in motivating and teaching others to find their organizational "happy place."

Robin lives in Ontario, New York with her husband, two kids, and one well-mannered dog. She enjoys the outdoors, sports, reading, home decorating, and of course, organizing.